Cazorla is now a key cog in Arsene Wenger’s midfield, with the injured Mesut Ozil barely missed.

Ex-Arsenal man Ray Parlour believes the 30-year-old has be an influential figure through the busy festive and New Year period, and Opta statistics appear to back up that claim - with the ex-Villarreal midfielder seeing plenty of the ball and always looking to make a telling contribution in the final third.

Match

Accurate Pass

Total Pass

Goal Assist

Total Att Assist

Goals

Total Scoring Att

Fwd Pass

Touches

Mins Played

Santiago Cazorla

Arsenal vs Hull City

82

94

0

2

0

6

25

135

90

Santiago Cazorla

Stoke vs Arsenal

63

70

0

0

1

4

22

92

90

Santiago Cazorla

Arsenal vs QPR

62

76

0

2

0

2

27

102

90

Santiago Cazorla

Arsenal vs Southampton

56

69

0

5

0

2

23

91

90

Santiago Cazorla

Arsenal vs Newcastle

53

63

0

2

2

5

18

88

90

Santiago Cazorla

Liverpool vs Arsenal

38

41

1

2

0

2

14

65

90

Santiago Cazorla

Southampton vs Arsenal

34

38

0

1

0

2

11

61

90

Santiago Cazorla

West Ham vs Arsenal

34

41

0

8

1

4

18

75

90

Parlour told Sky Sports: “He’s been superb. He’s really stepped up his game. He’s such an influential player on the ball, he can make things happen, he can see a pass, certainly in the last month or so.

“He’s knows there’s competition now. If he keeps performing the way he is, I’m sure he’ll be the first name on the team sheet in that midfield area, because he’s been absolutely brilliant over the last month.”

Arsenal are well-stocked in the playmaking department, so Cazorla will need to maintain his form if he is to remain a regular part of the starting XI.

Chris Burton

Chris is a freelance journalist with a passion for all major sports. He has spent much of his career to date focusing on the wonderful world of football, across all levels. He has also had the pleasure of interviewing a diverse mix of sportsmen and women – including Gareth Bale, Frank Lampard, Xabi Alonso, Marcel Desailly, Roy Hodgson, Manu Tuilagi, Jonny Wilkinson, Nicola Adams and Ed Clancy.